| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC October 17, 2005 Under Secretary Dobriansky to Host U.S.-Afghan Women's Council MeetingUnder Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Abdullah, and Afghan Minister of Women’s Affairs Massouda Jalal will co-chair the seventh meeting of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council in Washington D.C. on October 17-18, 2005. This binational Council of Americans and Afghans will review progress on initiatives to assist Afghan women and identify additional means of support. At this month’s meeting, Council members and expert guests will focus on programs and progress for Afghan women in the economic sector and job market, education, health and the political and judicial arenas. President George W. Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced the creation of the Council in January 2002. The Council was established to help ensure that Afghan women gain the skills and education necessary to participate in all sectors and to stimulate private and public assistance for such activities. The first meeting was held in Washington D. C. in April 2002. Reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan have improved the daily lives of millions of Afghans. Additional details on the office of International Women’s Issues and the Council are available at www.state.gov/g/wi. For more information about media opportunities contact Susan Crais Hovanec at (202) 312-9675. 2005/955
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